Freeze Dried Venison Entrée Dog Food
Verified Jun 9, 2026
This is a very high-protein, high-fat freeze-dried venison food for dogs, designed to be rehydrated before feeding. Venison provides a single, novel animal protein, while pumpkin, carrots, and kale add fiber and natural micronutrients. It is formulated as a complete and balanced diet for all life stages, including large-breed puppies, and can also be used as a nutrient-dense topper.
Nutritionally, this is a rich, very calorie-dense freeze-dried food centered around venison as the sole animal protein, with pumpkin and vegetables supplying carbohydrates and fiber. The high protein and fat levels make it well suited to active dogs and those needing a lot of calories in a small volume, and the AAFCO statement covers all life stages, including large-breed growth. It’s a strong option for dogs that do well on higher-fat diets and may need a novel protein, but it can be too rich for some dogs or those prone to pancreatitis or weight gain.
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At a Glance
KibbleLab Review
Strengths
- Single animal protein (venison) can be helpful for dogs who don’t tolerate more common proteins like chicken or beef.
- Very high protein (39.5% as-fed in a low-moisture, freeze-dried format) and fat (39%) provide concentrated energy for active dogs and those needing to gain or maintain weight.
- Formulated to meet AAFCO nutrient profiles for all life stages, including large-breed puppies, which is a higher standard than many all-life-stage products meet.
- Includes added omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, taurine, and L-carnitine to support heart, muscle, and overall health, plus pumpkin and carrots for fiber and natural antioxidants.
Considerations
- The fat content is quite high, which may not be appropriate for dogs with a history of pancreatitis, sensitive digestion, or those who gain weight easily.
- This is a very calorie-dense food (about 289 kcal per cup before rehydration), so portions need to be measured carefully to avoid overfeeding.
- Venison is still a common allergen in some dogs once they’ve been exposed to it, so it isn’t automatically hypoallergenic; dogs with known venison allergy should avoid it.
- Freeze-dried foods tend to be fed with less chewing than kibbles, so dental cleaning benefit from crunch is minimal compared with some dry foods.
Full Ingredient List
Ingredients and analysis reflect manufacturer data at the time of our last update and can change without notice. Always check the actual product packaging before feeding.
Ingredient filtering helps identify compatible options but is not a substitute for a veterinary elimination diet.
Top 5 Ingredients Explained
01
Venison
Venison is used in pet food primarily as a high-quality, novel animal protein source that is lean and rich in essential amino acids, iron and B vitamins, making it suitable for both dogs and cats and commonly included in limited-ingredient or hypoallergenic formulas. It can benefit pets with sensitivities to common proteins like beef or chicken and offer a lower-fat alternative, but owners should note that it may be too lean for growing animals, still can cause allergies in some pets, and raw or poorly sourced venison may carry parasites or contaminants (risks that are minimized in properly processed commercial diets).
02
Pumpkin
Pumpkin is used in pet foods primarily as a fiber-rich carbohydrate and moisture source that can help regulate digestion and firm up loose stools or add bulk for softer stools, and it provides beta-carotene (vitamin A precursor) plus small amounts of vitamins and minerals for dogs and cats. It is safe and beneficial when plain cooked or canned (not spiced or sweetened pie filling), should be fed in moderation as a supplement rather than a primary food, and introduced gradually since large amounts can cause gastrointestinal upset or interfere with absorption of some medications.
03
Carrot
Carrot is used in pet foods as a vegetable ingredient providing fiber, moisture, texture and antioxidant nutrients such as beta‑carotene (a provitamin A), vitamin K, vitamin C and potassium, contributing to palatability and digestive bulk. Cooked carrots are more digestible and release more beta‑carotene, but cats cannot efficiently convert beta‑carotene to active vitamin A so carrots are more nutritionally useful for dogs than as a primary vitamin A source for cats; they should be fed in moderation due to natural sugars and should be offered in appropriately sized pieces to avoid choking.
04
Natural Flavor
Natural flavor is used primarily as a palatability enhancer in pet foods to improve taste and aroma and is not intended to provide significant nutrients, typically coming from concentrated extracts of meat, poultry, plant, or fermentation sources. While it can increase acceptance in picky dogs and cats, manufacturers are not required to disclose specific sources so pets with known sensitivities or allergies may react, and presence of natural flavor should not be taken as a guarantee of overall product quality.
05
Kale
Kale is a cruciferous leafy green used in pet foods as a source of fiber, vitamins (A, C and K), minerals (such as calcium and potassium) and antioxidants, providing low‑calorie bulk and micronutrient support when added in small amounts. Because kale contains goitrogens, oxalates and other compounds that can cause gastrointestinal upset or, if fed excessively, interfere with thyroid function or contribute to urinary/kidney issues (and rarely hemolytic problems), it should be offered sparingly, prepared plain (cooked or finely chopped) and never seasoned with toxic ingredients like onion or garlic.
Nutritional Breakdown
How to read As Fed versus Dry Matter
As fed shows the numbers straight off the label, water included. Dry matter removes the water so you can compare a wet food and a dry food fairly.What is calorie density
How many calories the food packs per unit. Denser foods mean smaller portions for the same calories.Product Details & Brand
Product Specs
AAFCO Nutritional Adequacy
What is AAFCO
Association of American Feed Control Officials. It sets the nutritional
adequacy standards US pet foods are measured against.
What is AAFCO
Association of American Feed Control Officials. It sets the nutritional adequacy standards US pet foods are measured against.Brand
Zignature is known for its limited-ingredient, hypoallergenic recipes tailored for dogs with food sensitivities. The brand emphasizes novel proteins and grain-free nutrition.
Visit ZignatureManufacturer
Pets Global partners with trusted U.S.-based manufacturers for its products, maintaining oversight of ingredient sourcing and recipe formulation to ensure food safety and nutritional quality standards. Its products are formulated to meet AAFCO nutrient profiles and follow U.S. FDA manufacturing guidelines.
Manufacturing details are compiled from public sources and not independently verified; they may not reflect contract manufacturing or co-packing.
Recall History
Zignature Freeze Dried Venison Entrée Dog Food has no recalls since 2014.
Source: FDA Pet Food Recall Database · Monitored daily
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Frequently Asked Questions
Has Zignature ever been recalled?
We have no recalls on record for Zignature. We monitor the FDA Pet Food Recall Database daily.
How does KibbleLab rate foods?
Our scores are based on ingredient composition, nutritional profile, AAFCO compliance, and health considerations. We don't penalize by-products, grains, or synthetic preservatives. Brands cannot pay for higher scores.
Is KibbleLab a substitute for veterinary advice?
No. KibbleLab provides data-driven food analysis, not medical advice. Always consult your veterinarian before making dietary changes, especially for pets with health conditions.
KibbleLab provides informational content only. This is not veterinary advice. Always consult a qualified veterinarian before changing your pet's diet.
KibbleLab may earn affiliate commissions through product links. No one can pay for a higher score, or to change what we recommend for your pet.
Product data sourced from manufacturer websites, AAFCO statements, and FDA recall database. Last verified dates reflect our most recent data check.
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